Celtic defender Anthony Ralston unbelievably snubbed again by Scotland

By Euan Davidson

November 2, 2021

Celtic star Anthony Ralston has been snubbed yet again by Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Ralston, who is WhoScored?’s best Scottish Premiership player, has – for whatever reason – not been called up by Clarke. Instead, Rangers defender Nathan Patterson and Motherwell man Stephen O’Donnell occupy the right-back slots.

It’s an unbelievable oversight from the Scotland manager. Ralston has offered so much to Celtic this season. He’s chipped in with assists and goals, as well as providing defensive solidity on the right.

The Scotland squad was released within the last half-hour. David Turnbull has been called up alongside Callum McGregor. Former Celtic striker Tony Watt, another star performer in the Scottish top-flight, has also been snubbed.

It’s legitimately hard to know what more Ralston could be doing to get a call-up.

The resurgent right-back has been fantastic this season. Defensively, he’s averaging 2 tackles and 2 clearances a game [WhoScored?]. His passing has been excellent, setting up nearly 2 goals a game with his key passes.

From a defensive and attacking point of view, Ralston is clearly the best choice for Scotland. Yet, once again, he’s been ignored. For reference, Nathan Patterson has played 94 minutes of league football this season [WhoScored?].

Shocking oversight from Scotland over Celtic star Anthony Ralston

Really, it’s legitimately ridiculous. If you’re an international manager, you surely pick your form players available. To suggest that O’Donnell or Patterson are having a better season than Ralston is lunacy.

Furthermore, it’s not as if the right-back hasn’t shown versatility. Ralston’s more than capable of helping out further in the middle of the pitch, or providing real width for Scotland.

It’s a baffling decision, objectively speaking. If Clarke just isn’t impressed with Ralston in 21-22, it’s hard to know what more he could be doing on the pitch. Meanwhile, his attitude off it has been exemplary.

You have to hope something will give eventually. However, it’s a huge disappointment for the Celtic Academy graduate, and a very unjust snub.

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